Strip-positioning mechanism



Jan. 15, 1963 Filed March 14, 1960 J. KAASHOEK 3,073,542

STRIP-POSITIONING macmuxsu 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

KAASHOE K JOHN Jan, 15, 1963 .1. KAASHQEK 3 STRIP-POSITIONING MECHANISM Filed March 14, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet z IN V EN TOR:

JOHN KAASHOEK BY Jan. 15,: 1963 J. KAASHOEK 3,073,542

STRIP-POSITIONING MECHANISM Filed March 14, 1960 4-Sheets-Sheet 3 L ll 7 54 ,59 $8 JOHN KAASHOEK INVENTOR.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 14, 1960 KAASHOEK INV EN TOR.

BY g t/rvf JOHN Err-IL I m M United States Patent Efliidfidi? Patented Jan. 15, 1%53 hfrce 3,073,542 STRIP- PGSITEGNING MECHANlish l John Kaeshoek, 1146 Hall SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed Mar. 14,1960, Ser. No. l4,75 3 filainis. (131. 242-675) This invention relates to devices for positioning a strip of material between spools which engage opposite ends of the strip. The principal field of utility appears to be in the construction of destination signs used in busses, street cars, railroad trains, and other vehicles. A so-called curtain is customarily printed with the names of various possible destinations in a transportation system, and the operator of the particular unit assigned to a certain run will adjust the sign to show that portion of the curtain displaying the name of that run.

This general type of device is well-known, but the function of it has presented a problem that has been diificult to solve within practical cost limitations. The operation of the device involves running the curtain back and forth between the spools so that more or less of the curtain is wound on a particular spool according to the desired curtain position. spool increases, that on the other correspondingly decreases, with the result that the winding diameter of one spool with respect to the other is continually changing.

The problem of driving the spools without creating slack or excessive tension in the curtain under these conditions has resulted in a great variety of compensating mechanisms, and the present invention provides a system for performing this function at a very reasonable cost, and with a simplicity that creates reliability and ease of maintenance. The general principle of this invention involves the application of a continual braking action on both of the spools, together with .a selective drive for applying torque to one of the spools according to the direction which it is desired to move the curtain. The several features of the invention will be analyzed in detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 presents a top view of one modification of the invention.

FIGURE 2 presents a section on the plane iI-ll of FiGURE l, on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 3 presents an enlarged section on the plane III-Jill of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 presents an enlarged top view of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5 presents a section on an enlarged scale on the plane V-V of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate various positions of the mechanism shown on the plane VII-Vll of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 8 provides an exploded view of the components of the mechanism shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

FIGURE 9 presents an enlarged section on the plane IXIX of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 10 presents a modified form of the invention from that shown in FIGURES 6, 7, and 8.

FIGURE 11 presents a modified general arrangement of the sign unit from that shown in FIGURES l and 2.

FIGURE 12 presents an enlarged section on the plane XIIXII of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 presents an enlarged sectional view on the plane XIll-XIII of Fi-GURE 11.

FIGURE 14 presents a fragmentary section on the plane XIVXIV of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 15 presents a fragmentary section on the plane XVXV of FIGURE 13.

Referring to the drawings, the device illustrated in FIGURE 1 includes a frame formed by the opposite end As the amount on one plates 29 and 21 interconnected by the tubes 22 and 23. The end plates are provided with mounting flanges as shown at 2- 5 and 25 on the plate Ztl, and 2.6 and 27 on the plate 21 for securing the device to some convenientportion of the vehicle. The end plate 21 is provided with a pair of bearing units 28 and 29. These are similar in construction, and are best shown in FTGURES 2 and 3. The central portion 29 of the bearing unit has a flange 33 forming a bearing which is open over an upper sector of approximately degrees to receive the end of the stub shaft 31 of the spool assembly 32. A resilient clip 33 is received in the space between the body portion 29 of the bearing unit and the plane of the mounting flanges 34-36. The plate 37 is interposed between these flanges and the end plate 21 to obtain the desired surface characteristics and also to permit the bearing unit to become form a resilient fork which gently grips the end 31 of the stub shaft to apply a pre-determined braking action for resisting the rotation of the spool assembly 32. This clip has the additional function of applying a tendency to retain the spool in engagement with the bearing unit, but the spool is easily withdrawn whenever it is desirable to do so. The resilient spring clips 33 are retained in assembled position with respect to the bearing units by the tabs displaced from the material forming the central portion 29, and identified at 29a and 2%. These tabs extend inwardly, and engage an offset portion of the resilient clips 33 as shown to prevent withdrawal. These tabs also serve as a fulcrum establishing a support for the forked ends of the spring clip against which they may bear as they press against the ends 31 of the stub shaft of the spool assemblies. The outer ends 33a and 33b 7 of the resilient clips are flared outwardly to facilitate an insertion of the ends of the shaft within the U-shaped bearing flanges 3i The spool assemblies 32 and 38 are substantially identical in construction, and include the central tubular portion 3% (refer to FIGURE 3) and the formed discs 4% The central formed area of the discs indicated at ll has the dual function of securing the discs to the tubular sections, and also of providing a receptacle for receiving the base 42 of the shaft 31. Each of the tubular sections 39 of the spools is provided with a groove as shown at 43* in FIGURE 2 for receiving an end of a cloth curtain containing the names of various destinations which the sign unit may be adjusted to display. The idler rollers 44 and 45 are received in suitable bearing units 4649 secured to the offset portions 5tl-53 of the end plates, as best shown in FIGURE 1. The idler rollers 44- and 45 are included to position a particular portion of a curtain carried by spools 32 and 38 for display opposite a suitable window in the vehicle in which the device is-mounted.

The curtain will extend from the spool assembly 38 (normally tangent to the under side thereof) downwardly at cludes the fixed spindles 54 (refer to FIGURE 9) which are firmly secured to the end plate 20. Asupporting ring 55 with a rounded periphery includes a bearing insert 56, and is rotatably received on the outer end of the spindle 54. An axial slot 57 in the periphery accome modates the groove 43 in the spool. The arcuate periph-v ery of the ring 55 permits some degree of misalignment of the respective axes of the unit without applying strain to the driving mechanism, and also facilitates the as- 3 sembly and removal of the spools from the operating mechanism. The end disc 58 has a central formed area 59 similar to the structure at the opposite end of the spools, both of the formed areas having a cut-out as shown at 60 for accommodating the groove 4-3.

A sprocket 61 is rotatably mounted on the bearing insert 62, and has the coupling plate 63 firmly secured to it. If desired, the plate 63 may be formed integrally with the sprocket. The central opening indicated at 64 provides for driving engagement with the tab 65 of the pivoted dog 66 rotatably mounted on the pin 67 secured to the intermediate clutch member 68. The effect of the opening 64 is to provide a pair of opposite driving surfaces which can engage the tab 65 from opposite directions, and this same effect may be provided by a cutout in the body portion of the sprocket 61, if desired- FIGURE 6 illustrates the action of the assembly when the sprocket 61 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by the action of the chain 69. Such rotation initially has the effect of applying clockwise rotation to the dog 66 until further movement is arrested by the presence of the fixed pin 70 secured to the intermediate member 68- From the instant of contact of the dog with the pin 70, further rotation of the sprocket 61 causes the intermediate member 68 (carrying the dog 66 with it) to move in a counterclockwise direction. The extension 71 of the dog 66 will intercept either the tab 72 or the tab 73 of the disc 58, and thereby apply driving torque to the spool assembly in a counter-clockwise direction. This will correspond to the direction of rotation which will cause the curtain to be wound up on the spool 38. To assure that the intermediate member 68 will have enough resistance to rotation to cause the dog 66 to move into driving position, a spring washer 74 is included in the assembly, and applies an axial pressure to the hub section 75 and its bearing insert to generate a slight resistance to rotation. The washer 76 has a non-circular central opening engaging suitable flats on the spindle 54 as shown to prevent rotation of the washer. This arrangement prevents the driving of the intermediate member 68 by friction such as might result from axial displacement of the sprocket 61 and the coupling plate 63. The action of the spring washer 74 assists in keeping the fixed washer 76 in engagement with the flats on the spindle. Conventional retaining rings as shown at 77-78 are used to maintain the portions of the assembly in position.

The sprocket 61 is moved in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 7. The resistance to rotation of the intermediate member 68 will result in the movement of the dog in a counterclockwise direction until the bent ear 79 at the end of the extension 71 contacts the surface 80 of the intermediate member 68. Further rotation of the sprocket 61 in the same direction will simply result in free rotation of the intermediate member 68, since the extension 71 will be withdrawn radially inward to a point where it will clear the tabs 72 and 73. Under these conditions, the spool assembly will be governed by the light resistance to rotation applied by the braking action at the opposite end, which corresponds to winding torque being applied to the opposite spool. The resistance to rotation of the braking action will maintain tension in the curtain so that a smooth winding without slack will result. t

The arrangement for applying driving power to the chain 69 is best shown in FIGURE 5. The flange 81 on the end plate 20 is utilized as a mounting point for the bracket plate 82. The U-shaped support 83 is fixed to the plate 82 with the bolt and nut assemblies shown at 84 and 85. The bearing units 86 and 87 in the plate 82 and the supporting member 83, respectively, position the shaft 88. Driving torque is applied manually to the crank 89, which is transferred to the bevelled gear 96 secured to the shaft 88 by the conventional transverse pin 91. The bevelled gear 92 meshes with the gear 98 in driving engagement, and is rotatably mounted on a fixed spindle 96 secured to the auxiliary plate 93. This plate is, in turn, secured to the end plate 20 by the bolt and nut assemblies 94 and 95. The fixed spindle is indicated at 96, and is received within the tubular shaft 97 extending from the hub 98 of the driven bevelled gear to the sprocket 99 which transfers the power directly to the chain 69.

Referring to FIGURE 10, a modified form of clutch mechanism is illustrated. This modification differs from that illustrated in FIGURES 6-9 primarily in the arrangement for transferring the forces from the sprocket to the pivoted dog. In the FIGURE 10 modification, the dog 10!) is provided with a series of gear teeth as shown at 161, with these teeth engaging the teeth 182 in a driving member 183 fixed with respect to the sprocket 184. As with the previously-described modification, the assembly is supported upon a fixed spindle 185, and the functioning of the clutch mechanism is to transfer driving torque to either of the tabs 186 or 107 associated with a particular spool. As the sprocket 104 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the meshing of the gear teeth 101 and 102 will result in a rotation of the dog in a clockwise direction until further movement is limited by the pin 188. In such position, the extension 109 will engage either of the tabs 106 or 107. The dog 100 is pivotally mounted at the pin 110 on the intermediate member 111, as in the previous structure.

FIGURES 11 through 15 illustrate a modified form of the invention in which the principal difference from the structure described previously is in the relative position of the spools. This particular device is of the type which would normally be used in a side window of a train or bus to display a destination or a route number. The housing 112 includes a window 113 through which the appropriate portions of a curtain can be displayed as it is positioned between the spools 114 and 115. The end plate 116 supports bearing assemblies 117 and 118 which are similar to the showing of FIGURE 3, and the opposite end plate 119 encloses the driving mechanism generally indicated at 120. This mechanism is driven by the crank 121, and is similar in all of its operating essentials to that described in conjunction with FIGURES 4 through 9.

If desired, provision may be made in either of the devices for supporting suitable lighting fixtures, FIGURES l and 2 illustrating the use of brackets 121 and 122 interconnected by the rail 123. Various forms of outlets and related equipment may be installed as desired, as shown at 124-426. This portion of the structure forms no part of the present invention, and may be selected to suit the needs of a particular installation.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a mechanism for selectively positioning a sheet of flexible material to display a portion thereof including frame means including bearing means, first and second spools adapted to receive said sheet and rotatably mounted in said frame means, and brake means operative to resist rotation of said spools with respect to said frame including a spring member having opposite shoe portions, said spring member being fixed against rotation with respect to said frame means, selective drive means for said spools comprising: a driving member mounted opposite an end of each of said spools coaxially therewith and having opposite driving surfaces in rotation; a driven member rotatively fixed with respect to each of said spools and having an axially-extending projection; and a clutch member including a mounting plate and a movable member mounted thereon, said movable member having a portion alternatively engageable with one of said driving surfaces and a portion engageable with said axially-extending projection whereby rotation of said driving member in one direction will tend to move said movable member to a position engaging said projection for transfer of torque, and rotation of said driving member in the opposite direction will tend to move said movable member to a position to avoid engagement with said projection for disengagement of the said spool associated therewith from said driving member; stop means independent of said driven member limiting the movement of said movable member with respect to said mounting plate on rotation of said driving member in said one direction; and brake means operative to resist rotation of said mounting plate with respect to said frame means.

2. In a mechanism for selectively positioning a sheet of flexible material to display a portion thereof including frame means including bearing means, first and second spools adapted to receive said sheet, each of said spools having a projecting shaft portion, and brake means operative to resist rotation of said spools with respect to said frame, selective drive means for said spools comprising: a driving member mounted opposite an end of each of said spools coaxially therewith and having opposite driving surfaces in rotation; a driven member rotatively fixed with respect to each of said spools and having an axially-extending projection; and a clutch member including a mounting plate and a dog pivotally mounted thereon, said dog having a portion eccentric to the pivotal mounting thereof and alternatively engageable with one of said driving surfaces and a portion engageable with said axially-extending projection whereby rotation of said driving member in one direction will tend to rotate said dog to a position engaging said projection for transfer of torque, and rotation of said driving member in the opposite direction will tend to move said dog to a position to avoid engagement with said projection for disengagement of the said spool associated therewith from said driving member; stop means independent of said driven member limiting the rotation of said dog with respect to said mounting plate on rotation of said driving member in said one direction; and brake means operative to resist rotation of said mounting plate with respect to said frame means.

3. In a mechanism for selectively positioning a sheet of flexible material including frame means, first and second spools adapted to receive said sheet and rotatably mounted in said frame means, and brake means operative to resist rotation of said spools with respect to said frame, selective drive means for said spools comprising: a driving member mounted opposite an end of each of said spools coaxially therewith and having opposite driving surfaces in rotation; a driven member rotatively fixed with respect to each of said spools and having an axially-extending projection; and a clutch member including a mounting plate and a movable member mounted thereon, said movable member having a portion alternatively engageable with one of said driving surfaces and a portion engageable with said axially-extending projection whereby rotation of said driving member in one dircetion will tend to move said movable member to a position engaging said projection for transfer of torque, and rotation of said driving member in the opposite direction will tend to move said mova-ble member to a position to avoid engagement with said projection for disengagement of the said spool associated therewith from said driving member; stop means independent of said driven member limiting the movement of said movable member with respect to said mounting plate on rotation of said driving member in said one direction; and brake means operative to resist rotation of said mounting plate with respect to said frame means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 929,867 Meisselbach et a1 Aug. 3, 1909 930,186 Jordan Aug. 8, 1909 988,473 Klaiber Apr. 4, 1911 1,007,534 Clark Oct. 31, 1911 1,945,571 Samaras et a1 Feb. 6, 1934 2,510,409 McPhaul June 6, 1950 2,736,973 Magloch Mar. 6, 1956 v FOREIGN PATENTS 692,599 France Aug. 4, 1930 410,853 Great Britain May 28, 1934 

1. IN A MECHANISM FOR SELECTIVELY POSITIONING A SHEET OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL TO DISPLAY A PORTION THEREOF INCLUDING FRAME MEANS INCLUDING BEARING MEANS, FIRST AND SECOND SPOOLS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID SHEET AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME MEANS, AND BRAKE MEANS OPERATUVE TO RESIST ROTATION OF SAID SPOOLS WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME INCLUDING A SPRING MEMBER HAVING OPPOSITE SHOE PORTIONS, SAID SPRING MEMBER BEING FIXED AGAINST ROTATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME MEANS, SELECTIVE DRIVE MEANS FOR SAID SPOOLS COMPRISING: A DRIVING MEMBER MOUNTED OPPOSITE AN END OF EACH OF SAID SPOOLS COAXIALLY THEREWITH AND HAVING OPPOSITE DRIVING SURFACES IN ROTATION; A DRIVEN MEMBER ROTATIVELY FIXED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OF SAID SPOOLS AND HAVING AN AXIALLY-EXTENDING PROJECTION; ANA A CLUTCH MEMBER INCLUDING A MOUNTING PLATE AND A MOVABLE MEMBER MOUNTED THEREON, SAID MOVABLE MEMBER HAVING A PORTION ALTERNATIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE OF SAID DRIVING SURFACES AND A PORTION ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID AXIALLY-EXTENDING PROJECTION WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID DRIVING MEMBER IN ONE DIRECTION WILL TEND TO MOVE SAID MOVABLE MEMBER TO A POSITION ENGAGING SAID PROJECTION FOR TRANSFER OF TORQUE, AND ROTATION OF SAID DRIVING MEMBER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WILL TEND TO MOVE SAID MOVABLE MEMBER TO A POSITION TO AVOID ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PROJECTION FOR DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SAID SPOOL ASSOCIATED THEREWITH FROM SAID DRIVING MEMBER; STOP MEANS INDEPENDENT OF SAID DRIVEN MEMBER LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO SAID MOUNTING PLATE ON ROTATION OF SAID DRIVING MEMBER IN SAID ONE DIRECTION; AND BRAKE MEANS OPERATIVE TO RESIST ROTATION OF SAID MOUNTING PLATE WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME MEANS. 